County Record: Digital Edition

Penny Record: Digital Edition

Local contest winner gets trip of a lifetime

A few days missed at school was certainly worth it for Allison Floyd, 21,of Orange, for a “trip of a lifetime” to see the 55th Annual Grammys Award Show on Sunday in Los Angeles, Calif.

Floyd is a studying Elementary Education at Texas State University in San Marcos. She will graduate in December with plans to go to graduate school.

Her mother, Carol Floyd, entered her daughter along with other family members at a Nederland store in a contest held by a Beaumont television station. Carol Floyd was watching a morning news broadcast when she saw her daughters name on the screen.

Immediately, she called her daughter, Allison, to tell her the great news.

“I was shocked, “ Allison Floyd said “I didn’t even know she has entered me.”

But, she added, she didn’t think anyone actually won these type of contests. It became a reality when she received the paperwork for her trip.

“For a 21-year-old to win a trip like this is a dream,” said Laura Floyd.

The trip valued at $4,235 enabled Allison to take a friend along. She chose her college friend, Tally Jorn. The prize package included a three day two night stay at The World Class LA Live JW Marriott, two round trip tickets to Los Angeles, two tickets to the Grammys, two tickets to the Grammy after party, Plus there were two tickets to The Grammy Museum, daily breakfast at the hotel and a $300 bank gift card. In addition, her parents, Carl and Laura Floyd, purchased an additional day of the trip for their daughter so she would have the chance to see the tourists sites.

There was so much to do in such a short amount of time to get ready and only about a week to buy a new dress,purse and shoes for the big event.

“I haven’t been dressed up like that since high school,” said the 2009 Little Cypress-Mauriceville graduate.

They both were successful in finding the perfect outfits, but still had to go to school and make sure their class work was done, especially since she would miss classes on Monday. Her professor was so excited for her and she was able to take care of her work before she left town on Thursday. However, it was very hard for her and her friend to concentrate on school when all they could think about is who they might see walking down that red carpet on Sunday night.

With pure excitement they were barely able to sleep and managed to get in about two hours the night before their trip. But, their flight left at 8 a.m Friday at George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport and they were more than ready. By, 1 p.m. they arrived at their hotel.

For a late lunch they went to eat at a Mexican restaurant called EL Paseo Inn. When the waiter found out they were from Texas he brought them a plate of delicious wedding cookies for desert on the house. He told them they loved Texas girls coming to eat at their restaurant.

That night they decided to go for food from a different part of the world and went to IL Mare Italiano restaurant and described it as “awesome.”

Saturday they set out to see the sights. They rode the metro bus to the Santa Monica Pier and took a Hollywood Home’s Bus Tour. They also ate at the famous Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel for lunch. No trip would be complete without going to Grauman’s Chinese Theater to see the many handprints and footprints of the stars.

Finally, the night arrived when they went to the Grammy awards show at the Staples Center. Although they were seated a great distance from the stage, the pair came prepared with binoculars. The opening acts were memorable with Taylor Swift starting the colorful show.

The after party was just as memorable. Not only did they see stars at the award show, but at the after party where some performed.

“There was tons of food too,” Allison Floyd said.

After a whirlwind of a weekend, it was time to come home. They boarded the airplane Monday knowing Tuesday morning would come very soon.

“I had to get up at 6 a.m. on Tuesday,” Allison Floyd said. “But it was worth it – for sure,”

Allison Floyd wants to thank her mother for entering her into the contest and the trip of a lifetime.

Allison Floyd stops to take a picture outside the Staples Center before going inside to watch the Grammy Awards show. COURTESY PHOTO.